Installation suitable for the irradiation of substances with ultra-violet light



Aprll 25, 1933. G, ZECHER 1,906,038

INSTALLATION SUITABLE FOR THE IRRADIATION OF SUBSTANCES WITH ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT Filed July 9, 1929 E HIJ/ H d IE 86% 4; if ,5 #5 1V V 5 Z Patented Apr; 25, 1933 GUSTAV ZECHER, OF DHOVEN, NETHERLANDS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A.

INSTALLATION SUITABLE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK FOR IRRADIATION OF SUBSTANCES WITH ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT I Application filed July 9, 1929,- Serial No. 377,025, and in the Netherlands September 8, 1928.

The invention relates to an installation adapted to irradiate substances with ultraviolet light. Such installations may be used for the sterilization of liquids, for example of water or milk. The devices constructed heretofore often have the disadvantage that their parts are not easy to be replaced while the cleaning of these parts, for example of the vessel adapted to contain the substance to be irradiated sometimes entails great difiiculties.

The invention has for its object an installation whose parts can'be easily replaced and readily kept clean.

' An installation according to the invention comprises an electric discharge tube and a vessel adapted to contain the substance'to be irradiated, the discharge tube and the vessel being secured to a casing so as to be demountable. The discharge tube may be secured to the casing with the aid of a holder, for example a bayonet holder. With the exception of the apertures for the supply and the discharge of the substance to be irradiated, the

irradiation chamber is entirely closed. It is advantageous to construct the installation in such manner that a rim of the Vessel destined to contain the substance to be irradiated, is pressed against a ring provided on the discharge tube; this may be efi'ected with the aid of a screw cap whereby at the same time the vessel may be secured to the casing.

The casing may be connected to a member which can be readily attached to a wall, for example to the transformer whereby the discharge tube is operated, the casing being preferably so shaped as to surround the parts under tension.

The invention will be more clearly understood by referring to theaccompanying drawing which represents, by way of example, a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a cylindrical casing which consists, for example of copper and to which are secured an electric discharge tube 9 and an irradiation vessel 3. The discharge tube which is filled with some mercury vapour to which may be added another gas, for example argon, and

which serves to generate the ultra-violet light, comprises an incandescent cathode 4 and two anodes 5 and 6 which are separated by a screen and which are mounted on a stem '1 through which pass the supply wires of the electrodes. The upper end of the discharge tube is surrounded by a cap 8 provided with a plurality of contact pins 9 which are secured to the supply wires of the electrodes.

The discharge tube is retained in a fourpolar bayonet holder 10 which may be secured in any suitable manner to the casing 1. A slot 11 provided in the holder and a pin 12 of the cap of the discharge tube, which pin fits the said slot, are indicated in the drawing by dotted lines. It is evident that the application is not restricted to the use of a bayonetholder. It is very well possible to make use, for example of sockets with four bushes, such as are usually employed for wireless valves. In this application the term holder also includes such a socke In a grooveprovided at the end of the easing 1 is arranged a copper ring 13 against which bears a ring 14 provided on the cap of the discharge tube. The upper end of the irradiation vessel 3, which consists, for example of glass, has the shape of a flat rim 15 which with the interposition of a rubber ring 16 is pressed against the ring 14:. The rim 15 is pressed against the ring 14 with the aid of a screw cap 17 which may be screwed on to the end of the casing 1, which for this purpose is threaded. Between the screw cap and the rim 15 of the irradiation vessel are provided a rubber ring 18 and a copper ring 19. The latter facilitates the screwing on of the screw cap while the rubber rings 16 and 18 ensure a satisfactory seal between the irradiation vessel 3 and the flange 14 of the discharge tube. Such a satisfactory obturation is desirable as it is possible that the substance to be irradiated is supplied by the tube 20 at too great a speed. If the obturation between the vessel and the said ring were notperfect, the substance to be treated might penetrate into the casing 1. The outflow pipe 21 must be constructed ,so as to allow the SCIIDGW cap 17 to he slipped over the discharge tu e. a

The casing 1 is connected to a hollow sidesaid vessel, and the said vessel having a rim, extension 22 which is secured to a plate 23 the said rim being pressed against said ring which can be easily attached to a wall. If by means of a screw cap, the said screw cap the installation is destined for the sterilizasecuring said vessel to said casing.

5 tion of water, it is advantageous to mount it In testimony whereof I have signed my in the neighbourhood of a water-cock, owing name to this specification.

to which it is very eas to leadthe water to be treated by means 0 a flexible tube from the cock to the installaton. Another suitable 1 arrangement is obtained when the plate 23 is secured to the transformer whereby the discharge tube is operated. To the terminal screws 24 of the holder are secured supply wires 25 which are united to form a cable 26 which is led through an aperture provided in the extension 22 and which is connected to a transformer not represented in the drawing. v

As distinctly appears from the description of the device it is very easy to remove the irradiation vessel 3 by unscrewing the screw cap 17, so that this vessel can be cleaned and be replaced by another in a very easy manner. After removal of the irradiation vessel the discharge tube 2 can also be easily removed from its holder. The latter is preferably attached to the casing as otherwise after the removal of the screw cap the dischar e tube and the holder would hang on t e 30 various supply-wires which might cause some risk of damage.

The casing has such dimensions that it surrounds the contact pins which are under tension so that it is almost impossible to come into contact with these pins when the discharge tube is removed'from the device.

What I claim is 2- 1. An installation adapted for the irradiation of substances with ultra-violet light,

comprising a casing, an electric discharge tube having a gaseous filling mounted thereon, a vessel to contain the substance to be irradiated also mounted on said casing, the said discharge tube being provided with a 45 ring for closing off the top of said vessel, the said vessel having a rim, and means for pressing said rim against said ring.

2. An installation adapted for the irradiation of substances with ultara-violet light,

comprising a casing, an electric discharge tube having a gaseous filling mounted thereon, and a vessel adapted to contain the substance to be irradiated also mounted on said. casing, the said discharge tube being provided with a ring for closing ofi' the top of said vessel, and the said vessel having a rim, the said rim being pressed against said ring by means of a screw cap. 7

3. An installation adapted for the irradia- 50 tion of substances with ultra-yiolet light, comprising a casing, an electric discharge 'tube having a gaseous filling, and a vessel adapted to contain the substance to be irradiated, the said discharge tube being provided with a ring for closing oil the top of GUSTAV ZECHER. 

